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Who Should Ride Horses?
The Ways We Can All Benefit from Spending Time with Horses
Horseback riding is a sport that can be enjoyed by everyone. Anyone who chooses to take a lesson with a qualified instructor will find themselves immersed in a world of enjoyment. When they come off the horse, their muscles will feel stronger and their mind at ease. Horseback riding boasts numerous benefits for students. And, while it may seem like a sport only some of a certain age and body type can excel at, people of every walk of life have found great success and enjoyment in being with horses.
Even though everyone can enjoy horses, there are a few key differences that your instructor will have to account for to ensure you get a safe and fun experience. However, with a qualified instructor by your side, horseback riding is something that can bring you countless hours of enjoyment.
All-Ages
Horseback riding is truly a sport that can be enjoyed by everyone. Children, adults, and people with disabilities have all been able to find success and happiness on the back of a horse. However, certain groups may reap different benefits than others and in different ways.
The main priorities of a parent signing their 10-year-old up for riding will probably differ from a 40-year-old office worker suffering from stiffness after a long day on the job. Both the young and old alike can find enjoyment in the time they spend at riding lessons.
For Younger Riders
Young riders often have supple bodies and a fearless mentality that allows them to excel at riding. A good instructor will know how to harness their natural talent and focus their mind so they can reap the maximum physical and mental benefits from each lesson. For young riders still in school, the biggest benefits may be reaped in the classroom and not on the horse.
Having a creative and athletic outlet outside of school keeps children's minds fresh and ready to learn each day. Getting to listen to a riding instructor teach about posting on the correct diagonal allows children to practice following directions and the confidence to work towards their goals. They will be having so much fun, they won't even realize they're learning.
Horseback riding lessons get children out with like-minded peers. Many great relationships are built at a lesson barn. Students taking lessons with horses gain a sense of responsibility as they learn to take care of the horses in the program. Most importantly, horseback riding gives children an outlet for their passion that will follow them into the future.
For many young students, horseback riding becomes a lifelong passion and obsession for years to come. Horse-crazy children often grow into horse-crazy teenagers that spend more time at the barn than they do at home. Luckily for parents, horseback riding is a great way to keep teenagers' active minds out of trouble. Horseback riding teaches responsibility and respect, important traits that will be carried with them throughout high school and college. After all, who has time to party all night when they have a horse show to get to in the morning?
For Older Riders
Horseback riding is just as attainable for older riders, however, without the suppleness and bravery of a young body, their lesson may look different. Many older riders choose to take riding lessons later in life when they finally have the time and money to pursue their lifelong interest in horses. Horseback riding is a great way for adults to pursue their passion and break out of a mundane professional routine.
As we get older, it gets harder to find friends. Taking lessons creates a weekly commitment to get out of the house with like-minded individuals. Many adults are forced to shoulder a lot of responsibility at work, however, in lessons they get to be supported by their riding instructor and work towards personal goals. It's a great way to break out of the professional routine and focus on themselves while meeting new people.
For adults, in particular, horseback riding boasts numerous physical benefits [1]. Riding brings flexibility to stiff muscles and joints. Sitting on a horse helps improve posture and balance, and can help alleviate aches and pains. Taking lessons is a great way to keep feeling young!
[1]The Equine Professional Manual: The Art of Teaching Riding (Certified Horsemanship Association, 2016) 23-26
Riders with Disabilities
It's a common misconception that you need to be able-bodied to ride horses, however, today numerous riders are proving that is not true. With a few modifications, riders with disabilities get to enjoy many of the same activities as able-bodied riders. Riders with disabilities like cerebral palsy, athetosis, hypertonia, limb deficiencies, ataxia, short stature, and vision impairment all get to enjoy and compete in this sport. Specialized saddles, velcro straps, and rubber bands are all used to ensure a safe ride.
Today, there are numerous organizations with the mission to get more para-equestrian competitions and events available. Currently, the FEI offers dressage and driving for para-equestrians. Riders with a range of disabilities compete on the international stage.
Therapeutic Riding Lessons
Therapeutic riding is gaining popularity with hundreds of specialized facilities operating across the country. Therapeutic riding is a specially adapted horseback riding program offered to help people with disabilities. These lessons can benefit a wide variety of disabilities including:
ADHD
Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
Stroke
Autism
Addiction
PTSD
Amputations
Cerebral Palsy
Muscular Dystrophy
Spina Bifida
Hypo and Hypertonia
Orthopedic Conditions
Behavioral Problems
Learning Disabilities
Therapeutic riding lessons have been proven to provide benefits for students. Often people with physical disabilities can gain increased mobility and self-sufficiency while others benefit from increased self-esteem, emotional regulation, and communication skills. Horses are known to have a calming energy that relaxes participants. People who struggle to interact effectively with others, often find the companionship of their horse helpful in their treatment. Plus, for those with a passion for horses, getting to be around these majestic creatures makes therapy more enjoyable.
Therapeutic riding lessons may be held in conjunction with a standard recreational riding program but should always be carried out by a specially certified riding instructor. To learn more about therapeutic riding, PATH International is a great place to connect with accredited programs.
Even If You’re Not a Horseback Rider
Even if horseback riding isn't your main sport, it can still be a valuable addition to your workout routine. Today, many athletes are cross conditioning to help improve their performance. Cross-conditioning is the practice of varying your workout routine to help prevent boredom and repetitive injuries and improve strength and endurance. Therefore, even if you have another sport you practice competitively, adding a riding lesson each week can help you make improvements.
Runners, cyclists, gymnasts, weight lifters, and those who play team sports can reap massive benefits from riding horses. Horseback riding is great exercise and forces student's to use muscles they wouldn't otherwise, helping athletes fix muscular imbalances. Horseback riding also improves flexibility, balance, and coordination. These aspects are often overlooked in other sports but come in handy in nearly every discipline. Therefore, if horseback riding looks like fun, give it a try, even if you have another sport to focus on.
What If I Don’t Want to Ride?
Getting on a 1000 lbs. animal with a mind of its own isn't for everyone. Many people are led to believe that the only way to enjoy horses is to ride them, but that is not true. Just because you don't want to ride, doesn't mean you can't enjoy these majestic creatures. Horses have a calming, therapeutic energy that overtakes anyone who hangs out with them. Those who don't want to ride can still brush, walk, and ground-train horses to reap limitless enjoyment. After all, the best horse people are the ones that understand the importance of all the things you do when not riding.
Groundwork is all the training that is done off the horse's back. It involves teaching and preparing the horse to learn new things under saddle, give them exercise, or even teach them tricks. Positive reinforcement training is enjoyable for both horse and human, making it a great activity for those that don't want to ride. If you're interested in learning more about horses, find a riding school that offers groundwork lessons, camps, or classroom experiences.
Horseback riding is a sport that can be loved by all. Young, old, athletic, or not can all reap hours of joy from taking lessons with horses. Even those that do not want to ride can make a hobby out of horses. If you're interested in taking riding lessons, research local riding schools in your area. There's no time like the present to get started on your riding journey.